Ella Stambaugh Named Sportzwire Athlete of the Week, Sponsored by Envy Electrical
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | January 18, 2026 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media
Ella Stambaugh’s journey to becoming Sportzwire Athlete of the Week is a story of growth, dedication, and balance—on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.
A junior wing at Wyoming Seminary, Stambaugh is known for her versatility, capable of playing multiple positions and impacting the game in a variety of ways. While basketball has become her primary sport, her athletic foundation was built on the soccer field. Ella has been playing soccer since she was just four years old, competing at a high level for years. As she grew—following the height and athletic traits of her parents—basketball naturally entered the picture, and by 7th and 8th grade, her focus began to shift.
Her basketball rise was quick. Ella started playing AAU in 8th grade with NEPA Elite before moving on to Wyoming Valley Clutch. Those early experiences helped accelerate her development and put her on the radar of college coaches as early as her freshman year. This upcoming AAU season, she will compete with SLAAM on the Power 24 circuit on the East Coast, continuing to use AAU basketball as a platform to advance her game against elite competition.
College interest followed fast. Manhattan University offered Ella in the summer after 9th grade, becoming her first official offer. Since then, her list of suitors has grown to include Navy, Bucknell, Yale, Richmond, Penn, Colgate, Lafayette, Army, West Point, Lehigh, William and Mary, LeMoyne, and Cornell. Exposure at elite camps and national tournaments further solidified her reputation as one of the region’s top prospects.
Ella ultimately committed to the University of Richmond, a decision that aligned perfectly with both her academic and athletic priorities.
“They first saw me in May of last year in Iowa, playing in the Nike EYCL tournament,” Ella said. “They called me on June 1st and invited me to one of their elite camps.”
What stood out most to her was the overall environment. “The girls are given the best opportunities. Academics are top notch. I prioritize my academics, and the coaches can make me the best player I can be.”
Ella Stambaugh’s impact at Wyoming Seminary extends across multiple sports, with an impressive list of accolades that highlights her consistency, versatility, and year-to-year growth.
As a 9th grader, Ella quickly made her mark in both soccer and basketball. She was named the 2023 NEPA High School Soccer Freshman of the Year, earned Citizens’ Voice WVC Girls Soccer All-Star honors, and was selected to the WVC Division II Girls Soccer 1st Team All-Star. On the basketball court, she was equally effective, earning WVC Division II Girls Basketball 1st Team All-Star recognition and a spot on the Times Leader Girls Basketball All-WVC 2nd Team.
Her 10th-grade year brought even more recognition. Ella was again named a Citizens’ Voice WVC Girls Soccer All-Star and a WVC Division II Girls Soccer 1st Team All-Star, continuing her dominance on the pitch. In basketball, she reached new heights, being named WVC Division II Girls Basketball Player of the Year, along with Citizens’ Voice WVC Girls Basketball All-Star and Times Leader Girls Basketball All-WVC 1st Team All-Star honors. Her season was capped with statewide recognition as she earned 2025 PA Sportswriters All-State Class AA 3rd Team honors.
Now in her 11th-grade season, Ella continues to add to her résumé. She once again earned Citizens’ Voice WVC Girls Soccer All-Star and WVC Division II Girls Soccer 1st Team All-Star honors, while also reaching a major milestone by scoring her 50th career goal in a match against Elk Lake on September 6, 2025. On the basketball court, she achieved another historic feat, scoring her 1,000th career point on January 8, 2026, against Holy Redeemer. That performance helped earn her Sportzwire Athlete of the Week honors for the week of January 12, 2026, further cementing her status as one of the region’s premier multi-sport athletes.
Behind the scenes, Ella credits her support system for much of her success. “My dad is my trainer and helped me become the player I am today,” she said. Her mom plays an equally important role, helping balance academics, basketball, and communication with coaches—earning the family nickname of her “Mom-ager.” Strength training with Matt Flanagan of Fame Strength has also been instrumental. “He helped me become a lot stronger and definitely a better player—grabbing all those rebounds.”
At Wyoming Seminary, Ella is thankful for her coach as well. “I’m really thankful for Coach Kersey because he’s an awesome coach. I’m excited to continue working with him the rest of my high school career.”
Academically, Ella excels just as much as she does athletically. She is on high honors and places a strong emphasis on her studies. Her impact extends beyond sports and academics into the community. She is actively involved in Sem DM, the student-run Dance Marathon that raises funds for Janet Weiss Children’s Hospital. As part of the families committee, Ella is paired with a child for the day, dedicating her time to making that child feel special. She also participates in Wreaths Across America, laying wreaths on fallen veterans’ graves during the holidays.
Even with basketball now at the forefront, Ella still loves soccer and uses it as a way to step away from the grind. “I still love playing,” she admits.
With her combination of talent, work ethic, academic excellence, and community involvement, Ella Stambaugh represents everything the Sportzwire Athlete of the Week award stands for. Sponsored by Envy Electrical, this recognition highlights not just an outstanding athlete—but an exceptional student and young leader with a bright future ahead.
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